Device with precise tip-tilt adjustment

Abstract

A device assembly (216) for positioning a device (222) in a precision apparatus (10) includes a first housing (224), a second housing (226), a movement ball joint (229), and a locking ball joint (249). The first housing (224) retains the device (222). The second housing (226) is coupled to an apparatus frame (12). The movement ball joint (229) facilitates movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). The locking ball joint (249) facilitates locking of the first housing (224) to the second housing (226). The movement ball joint (229) can guide movement of the first housing (224) relative to the second housing (226). For example, the first housing (224) can include a first guide surface (230) and the second housing (226) can include a second guide surface (232). In this embodiment, the guide surfaces (230) (232) cooperate to form the movement ball joint (229). Additionally, each of the guide surfaces (230) (232) can form a portion of a sphere.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified top illustration of a precision apparatus having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is perspective view of a first embodiment of a device assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the device assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a front view of a first housing having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a rear view of the first housing of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 2E is a cut-away view of the first housing taken from FIG. 2D;

FIG. 2F is a front view of a second housing having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2G is a rear view of the second housing;

FIGS. 2H is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 2G;

FIG. 2I is a side view of the second housing;

FIGS. 2J is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 2G;

FIG. 2K is another side view of the second housing;

FIG. 2L is a cross-sectional view of the device assembly of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2M is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a device assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a device assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of a device assembly of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C is a cut-away view of the device assembly of FIG. 3A.

Claims

1. A device assembly for positioning a device for a precision apparatus, the device assembly comprising: a first housing that retains the device;a second housing;a movement ball joint that facilitates movement of the first housing relative to the second housing; anda locking ball joint that facilitates locking of the first housing to the second housing.

2. The device assembly of claim 1 wherein the movement ball joint guides movement of the first housing relative to the second housing.

3. The device assembly of claim 1 wherein the first housing includes a first guide surface and the second housing includes a second guide surface, the guide surfaces cooperating to form the movement ball joint.

4. The device assembly of claim 3 wherein each guide surface forms a portion of a sphere.

5. The device assembly of claim 3 wherein at least one of the guide surfaces encircles the device.

6. The device assembly of claim 3 wherein the guide surfaces and the device are substantially concentric.

7. The device assembly of claim 3 wherein the second guide surface of the second housing includes a device aperture and the device is positioned near the device aperture.

8. The device assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fastener that selectively locks the first housing to the second housing, wherein the fastener cooperates with the first housing to form the locking ball joint.

9. The device assembly of claim 8 wherein the fastener extends through the first housing and selectively threads into the second housing.

10. The device assembly of claim 1 further comprising a resilient assembly that urges a pair of components of at least one of the ball joints together.

11. The device assembly of claim 1 wherein the device is an optical element.

12. A precision apparatus comprising a beam source that generates a beam, and the device assembly of claim 11 redirecting the beam.

13. A device assembly for redirecting a beam of a precision apparatus that includes an apparatus frame, the device assembly comprising: a device that includes an optical element;a first housing that retains the device, the first housing including a first guide surface;a second housing that is coupled to the apparatus frame, the second housing including a second guide surface that cooperates with the first guide surface to form a movement ball joint that guides movement of the first housing relative to the second housing; the second guide surface including a device aperture that is positioned adjacent to the device.

14. The device assembly of claim 13 wherein each guide surface forms a portion of a sphere.

15. The device assembly of claim 13 wherein at least one of the guide surfaces encircles the device.

16. The device assembly of claim 13 further comprising a fastener that selectively locks the first housing to the second housing, wherein the first fastener forms at least a portion of a locking ball joint.

17. The device assembly of claim 16 wherein the fastener extends through the first housing and selectively threads into the second housing.

18. A precision apparatus comprising a beam source that generates a beam, and the device assembly of claim 13 redirecting the beam.

19. A device assembly for positioning a device for a precision apparatus, the device assembly comprising: a first housing that retains the device;a second housing;a movement ball joint that facilitates movement of the first housing relative to the second housing along a first axis, about a second axis, and about a third axis; anda lock assembly that facilitates locking of the first housing to the second housing.

20. The device assembly of claim 19 wherein the lock assembly includes a locking ball joint that facilitates locking of the first housing to the second housing, and the movement ball joint guides movement of the first housing relative to the second housing.

21. The device assembly of claim 19 wherein the first housing moves relative to the movement ball joint along the second axis.

22. The device assembly of claim 21 wherein the first housing moves relative to the movement ball joint about the first axis.

23. The device assembly of claim 19 wherein the lock assembly includes a fastener that selectively locks the first housing to the second housing.

24. The device assembly of claim 19 wherein the device is an optical element.

25. A precision apparatus comprising a beam source that generates a beam, and the device assembly of claim 24 redirecting the beam.

26. A method for positioning a device, the method comprising the steps of: retaining the device with a first housing;coupling a second housing to an apparatus frame;facilitating movement of the first housing relative to the second housing with a movement ball joint; andlocking the first housing to the second housing utilizing a locking ball joint.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of locking includes locking the first housing to the second housing with a fastener that cooperates with the first housing to form the locking ball joint.